When love hurts - domestic violence
Emergency Plan

When it comes to domestic violence, while we do not claim to have all the answers, we would like to support women in this situation.

If you are a woman involved in an abusive relationship, your personal safety and that of your children should be your number one concern. So have a safety plan for times when you believe your partner may become violent. (Abuse does not necessarily have to be a physical assault—there are various types of abuse, and psychological abuse can be as damaging and frightening as physical abuse. So your safety plan should apply to situations of frightening psychological assault as well.)

For emergencies—your safety plan

You may choose to follow any or all of the steps below.

• Leave the situation. Go to the nearest place where you feel safe and call someone for help.

• Memorise the emergency services and / or domestic violence hotline numbers for your area. If possible, also program them into your mobile phone. Call them if necessary.

• Assault is punishable under the law in many countries and criminal charges can be laid against violent abusers. Unfortunately though, in some countries, police may be unwilling or reluctant to get involved in domestic matters. At the very least you should be able to get support if you request that an officer(s) be present while you leave and at a later time, should you need to return to collect your personal belongings.

• Have an emergency bag packed and ready to go. This bag should contain a small amount of money, identification, credit cards, extra car keys, a list of important telephone numbers, and clothing. If you need to escape with your children, be sure you pack appropriate items for them as well. You may want to leave your bag outside your home with someone you trust.

• Have a plan. Be aware of where you can go if you need a safe place to stay; at a friend, hotel or a battered women's shelter. If you flee your abuser take your children with you. They need protection and may be in danger of being harmed if left behind.